Gaynor was known for her role as Esther Blodgett/Vicki Lester in the 1937 movie A Star Is Born.

In September 1982, Gaynor and her husband were seriously injured in a car crash after a drunk driver crashed their car. She died two years after the crash on September 14, 1984 in Palm Springs, California from problems caused by her injuries at the age of 77.[1]